High School Sports

The magic ran out at the worst time. The Perryville Pirates, seemingly resembling the bells of the ball during their previous three home wins, turned into pumpkins in the second half of a 28-26 loss to Jefferson on homecoming Saturday in Perryville, Mo...

For all of the tremendous accomplishments that the Advance High School volleyball program has racked up over recent years, and there have been A LOT of accomplishments, the Hornets have never done one thing, which is put together an undefeated season...

The 2023 MSHSAA Fall Baseball season wraps up this week with the final rounds of the Fall Baseball Tournament at Bernie High School on Monday and Tuesday. Though records are kept throughout the abbreviated autumn season each year, the true purpose of playing the 15- to 20-game seasons is mostly centered on learning and preparing for the all-important spring season.

The Jackson cross country placed first in the boys' race and second in the girls' race in the Notre Dame Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 30, in Cape Girardeau. Jackson senior Bryce Gentry won the boys’ 5K with a time of 16:17.90. The Woodland brothers of Reed ( 17:11.70) and Calvin Layton (17:12.30) finished third and fourth with only a second of separation. The Dexter duo of Cameron Bell (17:22.00) and Ben Dowdy (17:37.80) finished fifth and sixth respectively...

After nine minutes without putting points on the board, quarterback Adrian Fox weaved through a tough Sikeston defense for Jackson’s first score of the game. Never looked back, the Indians held the Bulldogs scoreless in a 56-0 victory on Homecoming at “The Pit.”...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — In a clash that left no room for doubt, New Madrid County Central stamped its authority on the field, decimating Kennett with an overwhelming 54-6 triumph. Quarterback BJ Williamson accounted for six touchdowns in the victory, as the Eagles (6-0) clinched a third consecutive SEMO-Central Conference Championship with the win over the Indians (4-2)...

For the second consecutive week, the Scott City Rams scored over 60 points in a win. Unlike last week, the Rams did it against an undefeated opponent by clobbering Kelly 63-6 on Friday in Benton, Mo. Kelly’s only score came on a four-yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Reece Eftink, who now has seven touchdowns and 742 rushing yards on the season...

MALDEN — The Malden High School defense stopped East Prairie late in the fourth quarter at the 50-yard line. However, on the Green Wave's subsequent drive — they fumbled. That gave East Prairie possession with less than two minutes to play, and Eagle Connor Marcum scored the game-winning TD on a 1-yard plunge...

After falling last week to the Jackson Indians, it left questions as to what the Cape Central Tigers response would be. Well, the Tigers answered with a defensive clinic, stifling the triple option and beating the Farmington Knights 35-0 on Friday at Cape Central High School...

DEXTER – How good is the ground game for this season’s Dexter High School football squad?

SIKESTON — In a flash of brilliance, Kelly dismantled Sikeston with a near-flawless performance, sealing an impressive 17-0 victory in a swift three-inning game on Thursday, September 28. The Lady Hawks (17-7) left no doubt about their hitting supremacy, outmatching the Lady Bulldogs (3-13) with an emphatic 17-1 hit advantage that highlighted their offensive prowess...

BERNIE — The Bernie Fall Baseball Tournament, with an eight-team, single-elimination format, begins today with four games. Here's the slate: Noon, No. 1 Bernie vs. No. 8 Bernie JV, high school field Noon, No. 2 Senath-Hornersville vs. No. 7 South Pemiscot, junior high field...

ARNOLD — The second half of the football season is underway and the Poplar Bluff Mules traveled over to Arnold for an opportunity to capture their second consecutive win of the season. Tough defense and solid execution into the endzone aided the Mules to get by the Fox Warriors 24-19, bringing their record to 3-3 on the season.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — In a highly competitive showdown at the SEMO Conference Tournament, local teams Sikeston, New Madrid County Central, Charleston and Oran fought hard, but couldn’t secure the top spot. In its opening match, Sikeston demonstrated its strength by defeating Kennett (5-8-4) in a decisive 2-0 victory. However, the Lady Bulldogs (5-15-2) momentum faltered as the team suffered back-to-back losses to Notre Dame (12-3-2) and Scott City (9-7-2)...

Friday, Sept. 27 Volleyball Clarkton 3, Holcomb 1 Set Scores: 25-22, 25-13, 20-25, 25-16 Records: Holcomb, 16-7-2; Clarkton, 19-6-1 Southland 3, South Pemiscot 0 Set Scores: 25-13, 25-21, 25-21 Record: Southland, 7-12-1; South Pemiscot, 2-14-1 Baseball...

Conference standings and statistical leaders from the SEMO Conference — North, Central and South.

For the fifth-straight year, the Jackson Indians claimed the SEMO Conference Volleyball Tournament title. The road to the fifth title began with the Poplar Bluff Mules before battling the Cape Central Tigers in the semifinals. The championship round featured the top seeded Indians and the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders...

The St. Vincent football team enters Friday's game 2-3 but is in a good position in the I55 Conference with wins over Perryville and Herculaneum. There are plenty of players who have stood out this season. Outside of quarterback Christian Schaaf, who has thrown for 950 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight inceptions through the first five weeks of the season, here are six St. Vincent players who have made an impact this season...

The Perryville football team's three-week homestand concludes on Saturday, Sept. 30, with a showdown against the undefeated Jefferson Blue Jays at 1 p.m. It will be a true test for the Pirates' offense, especially for running back Barrett Wheeler. The sophomore has 239 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 59 carries so far this season, putting him just shy of the area's top 10 rushers. ...

The Jackson Indians softball team defeated the Chaffee Red Devils 11-3 on Thursday in the Jackson City Park. Jackson used a 16-hit offensive performance balanced with defensive perseverance to reach win number 27 on the season. The Red Devils struck first in the top of the first inning when Paizleigh Graham hit a single into left and brought Ayne’ Held in to take the early 1-0 lead. ...

No one knew what to expect when the Caruthersville High School leadership hired some “outside the box” guy to lead the swirling Tiger football program in January 2022.

By D’COURTLAND CHRISTIAN Assistant Sports Editor It was an emotional day for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules softball team and their families as they took a moment to celebrate the seniors. Maggie King, Kennedy Zgaynor, Heaven Werkmeister, Ashtyn Reese and manager Katy Cram were honored with a special ceremony during senior day as they prepared to play against the Cape Central Lady Tigers on Thursday...

For the second-straight year, the Class 2, District 1 girls singles champion is coming back to Poplar Bluff as Lady Mule junior Kaitlyn Booker cruised to victory on Thursday in Farmington. Booker took down players from St. Pius X and Notre Dame before beating St Pius X.s Carolyne Argana 6-4, 6-2 in the championship match...

Statistical leaders from the Southeast Missourian coverage area.

NEW MADRID — The New Madrid County Central High School football team has become a powerhouse in recent years. The Eagles have produced a winning record every season since 2019, and this year’s group is off to an unblemished 5-0 start. “They have a great program,” Kennett head coach Andrew Webster noted. “They have great athletes and great coaches. We’re trying to compete with them.”...

Statistical leaders from the Sikeston Standard-Democrat coverage area PASSING RUSHING RECEIVING TACKLES SACKS INTERCEPTIONS...

Celebrate good times. The Kennett High School girls tennis team recognized seniors Christi Tejeda and Maddi Johnson after completion of Monday’s match versus Dexter at The Wheatley Courts. Tejeda and Johnson both have made a lasting impact on the Indians’ program as four-year performers...

LEOPOLD – The Leopold High School baseball program has won just 10 games over the past three spring seasons, and Wildcat coach T.J. Smreker only had 10 players out for the fall season this year, so he knew the past month-plus would involve a lot of learning.

DEXTER – It’s not often that a volleyball squad that has won 9 of its previous 10 matches AND is playing on its home floor, is regarded as an underdog in a match. However, that was the case on Tuesday, as Dexter hosted unbeaten Advance. The outcome may have been as predicted, as the Hornets won 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 22-25, 25-16) to improve to 18-0-2, but without question, it was a competitive night of volleyball, despite the continued dominance of the Advance program. “Dexter didn’t give up tonight,” veteran Advance coach Erin Hoffman said. “Dexter went and went, and went. They just kept going.

MALDEN — Two teams coming off losses of different scopes meet Friday as East Prairie squares off with Malden. Malden suffered a 62-8 loss to Scott City while East Prairie had victory in its grasp before ultimately falling to Kennett on the Indians’ Homecoming...

CLARKTON — Clarkton High School volleyball players continue to reach milestone achievements. Those accomplishments were recognized after the Reindeer defeated Tri-County Conference foe Southland, 25-16, 25-13, 25-15. Senior outside/middle hitter Bree Winchester reached more than 500 kills in her one year-plus career at Clarkton...

GIRLS TENNIS Class 1 District 1 Team Tournament Monday, Oct. 2 4 p.m., No. 4 Charleston vs. No. 5 Caruthersville, at Charleston 4 p.m., No. 2 Saxony Lutheran vs. No. 3 Dexter, at Jackson Tuesday, Oct. 3 4 p.m., Charleston/Caruthersville winner vs. Kennett, Wheatley Courts...

Monday, Sept. 25 Delta C-7 d. Blytheville, Ark., 25-23, 25-18, 25-19 Note: This is the first win of the season for the Chargers. Holcomb d. Westwood Baptist, 25-7, 25-9, 25-11 Record: Holcomb, 15-6-2 Bernie d. Kennett, 25-6, 25-21, 25-11 Record: Kennett, 5-8-4...

After getting off to a rocky start to the season, the Poplar Bluff Mules football team aims to get back on track as they get prepared for their next district matchup. The Mules will hit the road on Friday to face off against the Fox High School Warriors, and momentum will be heavily in their favor after their dominant 38-0 performance last week against Sikeston...

The Poplar Bluff Mules girls tennis team will hit the road today for the Class 2, District 1 Tournament at Engler Park in Farmington. “I’m proud of how they came out and played aggressively this week,” head coach Michelle Massey said. “I think today was good practice for districts tomorrow and I think our girls have a strong chance because we’ve had a great winning season. ...

Each week of the high school football season, Southeast Missourian sports editor Tony Capobianco will provide a quick matchup rundown for each of the seven area teams. Week 6 is filled with teams either teams likely running into buzzsaws or becoming the buzzsaw, with one clear exception...

Max Cairns’ impact for the Cape Central Tigers goes deeper than the stat sheet. While he scores his fair share of goals and assists on many as well, but Cairns also impacts scoring chances by his vocal leadership. “It’s a trait that I’ve developed,” Cairns said. “It definitely took work. I didn’t get here overnight.”...

ORAN, Mo. — The Oran baseball team had been dishing out a delectable and unbeatable ‘Burger Combo’ to its opponents this fall season, leaving them famished for victory and hungry for answers. Kole Burger and Gabe Dirnberger, the culinary architects of this tantalizing duo, are not swinging bats, they’re smashing ‘whoppers’ like seasoned grill masters...

Among the 78 different runners from eight competing high schools, it was St. Vincent freshman Carter Hennemann who led the pack and won the boys' 5k cross country race in the Perryville Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Perryville, Mo. "It means a lot because I've been preparing a long time for this," Hennemann said...

Scott City (7-6-2) took care of business with a sweep of Charleston (1-11-1) on Tuesday night, dominating the Blue Jays with set wins at 25-16, 25-12 and 25-8. Ramsey Spinks’ 27 assists led the Rams in offensive production in the win. Alyssa Dirden finished on 15 kills, with Maggie Jones putting in another five...

The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules volleyball team grabbed its second win in a row on Tuesday as they cruised to the 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-18) sweep of Lesterville. PB head coach Summer Shipman said the win Tuesday and last week over Kennett (3-1) give the Lady Mules some momentum heading into the first round of the SEMO Conference Volleyball Tournament on Thursday at the Cape Girardeau Sportsplex...

After being held to two goals over their last three games, the Notre Dame Bulldogs erupted for six goals in a 6-1 rout of the St. Pius X Lancers on Tuesday. The win snapped a three-game skid for the Bulldogs. “It feels really good,” Bulldogs coach Matt Vollink said. “One of the things we’ve talked about is we have a tough schedule and we play tough teams. Hopefully as the season goes on those tough games against quality teams will pay off.”...

Two of the premiere volleyball programs faced off on Monday at Jackson High School. The Jackson Indians came away victorious, defeating the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders in straight sets (25-19, 25-16, 25-17) to claim the SEMO Conference regular season championship...

NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL, Mo. — New Madrid County Central continued its undefeated run this season, securing a convincing 27-0 win over Caruthersville at NMCC High School on Friday, September 22. The Eagles’ (5-0) offense was led by quarterback BJ Williamson who ran for 219 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown, the senior also connected with fellow senior Jadis Jones for a touchdown pass. Williamson exited the game five minutes into the third...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — The Portageville volleyball team mounted a furious comeback in the third set to secure a sweep over Sikeston at PHS on Monday, Sep. 26. The Lady Bulldogs (19-2-2) controlled the first two sets 25-18 and 25-14. However, in the third set, they trailed significantly (18-6) against the determined Lady Bulldogs (4-12-2), but ultimately, staged a comeback and secured a nail-biting 25-23 victory...

It’s unclear as to whether Advance High School baseball coach Neil Johnson has a multi-year contract but given the construction of his 2023 fall and spring rosters, he deserves one.

Twice each summer, Sikeston High School manages to find its way onto the iconic playing fields of Fenway Park in Boston and Yankee Stadium in New York. No, former Bulldog great Blake DeWitt hasn’t taken to the infield at those two baseball cathedrals since the summer of 2011, however, Chad Jennings still does annually.

GIDEON — Defending the home court. That was the mantra for the Gideon High School volleyball team during Saturday's championship bracket at its own tournament. Eight teams participated in the draw, with Pool 1 champion Gideon facing Cooter and Pool 2 champion Clarkton squaring off with Risco in the quarterfinals...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The Kennett High School girls tennis team captured its fourth consecutive Southeast Missouri Conference tournament title Friday. The Indians compiled 22.5 points, which was 3.5 points more than second-place Jackson. Cape Notre Dame Regional finished a distant third (13)...

Kennett High School football players Kaden Taylor, Carter Shewmaker and Caleb Duncan were all part of last Friday’s Homecoming Court. In fact, Shewmaker was running late onto the field for the halftime coronation ceremony. In the end, Shewmaker, Taylor and Duncan all contributed to one of the most memorable Kennett come-from-behind victories in recent memory...